Techniques to switch between video display modes

ABSTRACT

An apparatus which switches between video display modes, including a display panel having multiple display pixels formed in a matrix; a display controller coupled to the display panel and including a detector to detect a phase differential between received timing signals and output a synchronous determination signal, and a control signal generator coupled to the detector, the control signal generator to generate a first set of control signals corresponding to a first driving mode or a second set of control signals corresponding to a second driving mode in accordance with the synchronous determination signal, the first set of control signals to cause the display panel to display images in accordance with the first driving mode using a first set of selected display pixels, and the second set of control signals to cause the display panel to display images in accordance with the second driving mode using a second set of selected display pixels, with the second set having a number of selected display pixels different from the first set. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/367,753 filed Mar. 3, 2006, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/171,590 filed Jun. 29, 2005.

BACKGROUND

A mobile device such as a notebook computer may be capable of displaying media information, such as movie content, moving pictures content, television content, business application content, and so forth. Since a mobile device typically relies upon battery power, the mobile device may have several different levels of operating modes that consume varying levels of power. Reducing power consumption while displaying media information, however, may cause disruptions in the displayed media information. Consequently, there may be a need for improved display and power reducing techniques.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a first node.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a first timing diagram.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a second timing diagram.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a first logic flow.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a second node.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a display controller.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a signal line driver.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a scanning line driver.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a second logic flow.

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a third timing diagram.

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a first pixel matrix.

FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a fourth timing diagram.

FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of a second pixel matrix.

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a fifth timing diagram.

FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of a sixth timing diagram.

FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of a seventh timing diagram.

FIG. 18 illustrates one embodiment of an eighth timing diagram.

FIG. 19 illustrates one embodiment of a ninth timing diagram.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a system. FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a system 100. In one embodiment, for example, system 100 may comprise a media processing system having multiple nodes. A node may comprise any physical or logical entity for processing and/or communicating information in the system 100 and may be implemented as hardware, software, or any combination thereof, as desired for a given set of design parameters or performance constraints. Although FIG. 1 is shown with a limited number of nodes in a certain topology, it may be appreciated that system 100 may include more or less nodes in any type of topology as desired for a given implementation. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, a node may comprise a processing system, a computer system, a computer sub-system, a computer, a workstation, a terminal, a server, a personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, an ultra-laptop computer, a portable computer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a combination PDA/mobile telephone, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, a programmable logic device (PLD), a digital signal processor (DSP), a processor, a circuit, a logic gate, a register, a microprocessor, an integrated circuit, a semiconductor device, a chip, a transistor, and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, a node may comprise, or be implemented as, software, a software module, an application, a program, a subroutine, an instruction set, computing code, words, values, symbols or combination thereof. A node may be implemented according to a predefined computer language, manner or syntax, for instructing a processor to perform a certain function. Examples of a computer language may include C, C++, Java, BASIC, Perl, Matlab, Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, micro-code for a processor, and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, the nodes of system 100 may communicate, manage, or process information in accordance with one or more protocols. A protocol may comprise a set of predefined rules or instructions for managing communication among nodes. A protocol may be defined by one or more standards as promulgated by a standards organization, such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, the nodes of system 100 may be arranged to communicate, manage or process different types of information, such as media information and control information. Examples of media information may generally include any data representing content meant for a user, such as voice information, video information, audio information, image information, textual information, numerical information, alphanumeric symbols, graphics, and so forth. Control information may refer to any data representing commands, instructions or control words meant for an automated system. For example, control information may be used to route media information through a system, to establish a connection between devices, instruct a node to process the media information in a predetermined manner, and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, system 100 may be implemented as a wired communication system, a wireless communication system, or a combination of both. Although system 100 may be illustrated using a particular communications media by way of example, it may be appreciated that the principles and techniques discussed herein may be implemented using any type of communication media and accompanying technology. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

When implemented as a wired system, for example, system 100 may include one or more nodes arranged to communicate information over one or more wired communications media. Examples of wired communications media may include a wire, cable, printed circuit board (PCB), backplane, switch fabric, semiconductor material, twisted-pair wire, co-axial cable, fiber optics, and so forth. The wired communications media may be connected to a node using an input/output (I/O) adapter. The I/O adapter may be arranged to operate with any suitable technique for controlling information signals between nodes using a desired set of communications protocols, services or operating procedures. The I/O adapter may also include the appropriate physical connectors to connect the I/O adapter with a corresponding communications medium. Examples of an I/O adapter may include a network interface, a network interface card (NIC), disc controller, video controller, audio controller, and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

When implemented as a wireless system, for example, system 100 may include one or more wireless nodes arranged to communicate information over one or more types of wireless communication media. An example of wireless communication media may include portions of a wireless spectrum, such as the RF spectrum in general, and the ultra-high frequency (UHF) spectrum in particular. The wireless nodes may include components and interfaces suitable for communicating information signals over the designated wireless spectrum, such as one or more antennas, wireless transmitters/receivers (“transceivers”), amplifiers, filters, control logic, antennas, and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, system 100 may comprise a media processing system having one or more media source nodes 102-1-n. Media source nodes 102-1-n may comprise any media source capable of sourcing or delivering media information and/or control information to media processing node 106. More particularly, media source nodes 102-1-n may comprise any media source capable of sourcing or delivering digital audio and/or video (AV) signals to media processing node 106. Examples of media source nodes 102-1-n may include any hardware or software element capable of storing and/or delivering media information, such as a Digital Versatile Disk (DVD) device, a Video Home System (VHS) device, a digital VHS device, a personal video recorder, a computer, a gaming console, a Compact Disc (CD) player, computer-readable or machine-readable memory, a digital camera, camcorder, video surveillance system, teleconferencing system, telephone system, medical and measuring instruments, scanner system, copier system, and so forth. Other examples of media source nodes 102-1-n may include media distribution systems to provide broadcast or streaming analog or digital AV signals to media processing node 106. Examples of media distribution systems may include, for example, Over The Air (OTA) broadcast systems, terrestrial cable systems (CATV), satellite broadcast systems, and so forth. It is worthy to note that media source nodes 102-1-n may be internal or external to media processing node 106, depending upon a given implementation. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, the incoming video signals received from media source nodes 102-1-n may have a native format, sometimes referred to as a visual resolution format. Examples of a visual resolution format include a digital television (DTV) format, high definition television (HDTV), progressive format, computer display formats, and so forth. For example, the media information may be encoded with a vertical resolution format ranging between 480 visible lines per frame to 1080 visible lines per frame, and a horizontal resolution format ranging between 640 visible pixels per line to 1920 visible pixels per line. In one embodiment, for example, the media information may be encoded in an HDTV video signal having a visual resolution format of 720 progressive (720p), which refers to 720 vertical pixels and 1280 horizontal pixels (720×1280). In another example, the media information may have a visual resolution format corresponding to various computer display formats, such as a video graphics array (VGA) format resolution (640×480), an extended graphics array (XGA) format resolution (1024×768), a super XGA (SXGA) format resolution (1280×1024), an ultra XGA (UXGA) format resolution (1600×1200), and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, media processing system 100 may comprise a media processing node 106 to connect to media source nodes 102-1-n over one or more communications media 104-1-m. Media processing node 106 may comprise any node as previously described that is arranged to process media information received from media source nodes 102-1-n. In one embodiment, for example, media processing node 106 may comprise a mobile device. Examples of mobile devices may include a notebook computer, a laptop computer, an ultra-laptop computer, a portable computer, a handheld computer, a PDA, a cellular telephone, a combination PDA/cellular telephone, and so forth. In one embodiment, for example, media processing node 106 may comprise a notebook computer, although the embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, media processing node 106 may include a media processing sub-system 108. Media processing sub-system 108 may comprise a processor, memory and application hardware and/or software arranged to process media information received from media source nodes 102-1-n. For example, media processing sub-system 108 may filter the media information, convert the media information between different visual resolution formats and display resolution formats, control the timing used to display the media information, switch scanning techniques used to display the media information, and perform other media processing operations as described in more detail below. Media processing sub-system 108 may output the processed media information to a display 110. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, media processing node 106 may include a display 110. Display 110 may be any display capable of displaying media information received from media source nodes 102-1-n. Display 110 may display the media information at a given format resolution. For example, display 110 may display the media information on a display having a VGA format resolution, XGA format resolution, SXGA format resolution, UXGA format resolution, and so forth. The type of displays and format resolutions may vary in accordance with a given set of design or performance constraints, and the embodiments are not limited in this context.

In general operation, media processing node 106 may receive media information from one or more of media source nodes 102-1-n. In one embodiment, for example, media processing node 106 may receive media information from a media source node 102-1 implemented as a DVD player integrated with media processing node 106. Media processing sub-system 108 may retrieve the media information from the DVD player, convert the media information from the visual resolution format to the display resolution format of display 110, and reproduce the media information using display 110.

In one embodiment, for example, media processing sub-system 108 may display the media information using display 110. Media processing sub-system 108 may draw an image or picture on display 110 by sweeping an electrical signal horizontally across display 110 one line at a time. The amplitude of this signal versus time represents the instantaneous brightness at a given physical point on display 110. At the end of each line, there is a portion of the waveform referred to as a horizontal blanking interval. The horizontal blanking interval tells a scanning circuit in display 110 to retrace to the left edge of display 110 and then start scanning the next line. Starting at the top of display 110, all of the lines on display 110 are scanned in this way. One complete set of lines makes a picture or image. This is referred to as a frame. Once the first complete picture is scanned, there is another portion of the waveform referred to as the vertical blanking interval that causes the scanning circuit to retrace to the top of display 110 and start scanning the next frame or picture. When reproducing moving pictures such as a video, this sequence is repeated at a fast enough rate so that the displayed images are perceived to have continuous motion.

In one embodiment, for example, media processing sub-system 108 may display the media information in multiple display modes or scan modes. Examples of display modes may include interlaced and non-interlaced scan modes. Interlaced and non-interlaced scan modes use two different types of scanning techniques. The scanning techniques differ in how the media information is reproduced on display 110. Television signals and compatible displays are typically interlaced, and computer signals and compatible displays are typically non-interlaced. These two formats are typically incompatible with each other. Therefore media information in one format would need to be converted to the other format before any common processing could be done.

Interlaced scanning is where a frame representing a picture is divided into two separate fields. One field may include odd lines for a picture, while the other field may include even lines for a picture. The two fields make up a frame. An interlaced picture is drawn on the screen in two passes, by first scanning the horizontal lines of the first field, retracing to the top of the screen, and then scanning (or interlacing) the horizontal lines for the second field in-between the first set. For example, if a picture comprises 525 lines, Field 1 may comprise lines 1 through 262 ½ of the picture, and Field 2 may comprise lines 262 ½ through 525 of the picture. Interlacing Field 1 and Field 2 at 60 fields per second achieves an effective 30 frame per second frame rate since the phosphors used in display 110 used to render Field 1 may remain active while Field 2 is being rendered.

Non-interlaced scanning may refer to reproducing a picture on display 110 by scanning all of the horizontal lines of the picture in one pass from the top to the bottom. Non-interlaced scanning may sometimes be referred to as “progressive scanning.” Unlike interlaced scanning techniques, progressive scanning uses complete frames including both odd and even lines. Each scan displays an entire frame. Thus in progressive mode a frame rate of 60 frames per second causes 60 frames to be reproduced on display 110, while in interlaced mode a field rate of 60 fields per second causes only 30 frames to be reproduced on display 110. As a result, the progressive mode tends to deliver higher quality than the interlaced mode. Since the interlaced mode refreshes display 110 at half the rate of the progressive mode, however, the interlaced mode may use less power than the progressive mode.

In one embodiment, for example, media processing node 106 may be implemented in the form of a mobile device such as a notebook computer. Mobile devices may use different power sources, one of which may comprise a direct current (DC) battery. As a result, media processing node 106 may be arranged to operate at various levels of power in an attempt to conserve battery power. One way to reduce power for media processing node 106 is to display media information on display 110 using an interlaced mode rather than a progressive mode. Switching between display modes to reduce power, however, may cause disruptions or artifacts in display 110, thereby reducing the viewing experience of a user.

Various embodiments may address these and other problems. In one embodiment, for example, media processing node 106 may use media processing sub-system 108 to convert between an interlaced mode and a progressive mode to conserve power while reducing disruptions or artifacts in display 110. More particularly, media processing sub-system 108 may be implemented using a graphics device arranged to switch between a progressive mode and an interlaced mode to display media information using a single pixel clock frequency. Further, the graphics device may also use one set of display timing register values for both modes, or alternatively, different display timing register values for each mode, depending upon a desired implementation. Other embodiments are described and claimed. System 100 in general, and media processing sub-system 108 in particular, may be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a node 200. FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a media processing node 200 suitable for use with media processing system 100. Media processing node 200 may be representative of, for example, media processing node 106 as described with reference to FIG. 1. The embodiments are not limited, however, to the example given in FIG. 2.

As shown in FIG. 2, media processing node 106 may comprise multiple elements. One or more elements may be implemented using one or more circuits, components, registers, processors, software subroutines, modules, or any combination thereof, as desired for a given set of design or performance constraints. Although FIG. 2 shows a limited number of elements in a certain topology by way of example, it can be appreciated that more or less elements in any suitable topology may be used in media processing node 200 as desired for a given implementation. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, media processing node 200 may include a processor 202. Processor 202 may be implemented using any processor or logic device, such as a complex instruction set computer (CISC) microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) microprocessor, a very long instruction word (VLIW) microprocessor, a processor implementing a combination of instruction sets, or other processor device. In one embodiment, for example, processor 202 may be implemented as a general purpose processor, such as a processor made by Intel® Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif. Processor 202 may also be implemented as a dedicated processor, such as a controller, microcontroller, embedded processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a network processor, a media processor, an input/output (I/O) processor, a media access control (MAC) processor, a radio baseband processor, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device (PLD), and so forth. When implemented as a mobile device, for example, processor 202 may comprise part of an Intel Centrino™ mobile processing architecture, such as a Pentium® M processor and accompanying chipset. The embodiments, however, are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, media processing node 200 may include a memory 204 to couple to processor 202. Memory 204 may be implemented using any machine-readable or computer-readable media capable of storing data, including both volatile and non-volatile memory. For example, memory 204 may include read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), Double-Data-Rate DRAM (DDRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), static RAM (SRAM), programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, polymer memory such as ferroelectric polymer memory, ovonic memory, phase change or ferroelectric memory, silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) memory, magnetic or optical cards, or any other type of media suitable for storing information. It is worthy to note that some portion or all of memory 204 may be included on the same integrated circuit as processor 202, or alternatively some portion or all of memory 204 may be disposed on an integrated circuit or other medium, for example a hard disk drive, that is external to the integrated circuit of processor 202. In one embodiment, for example, memory 204 may comprise one or more second generation double-data rate (DDR) DRAM (DDR2) memory devices. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, media processing node 200 may include media processing sub-system 108. In one embodiment, for example, media processing sub-system 108 may comprise a graphics device 206 to couple to memory 204. In other embodiments, media processing sub-system 108 may also comprise other elements of media processing node 106, such as processor 202, video card 208 and input/output (I/O) controller hub (ICH) 210, an integrated media source node 102-1-n, and so forth, depending upon a given implementation. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may be implemented in a number of different ways. For example, graphics device 206 may be implemented using an integrated graphics and memory device, such as a graphics and memory controller hub (GMCH) 206. In another example, graphics device 206 may be implemented using a single integrated graphics device using memory 204 or other memory. In yet another example, graphics device 206 may be implemented as part of a separate board or chipset, such as part of video card 208. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may perform media processing operations for media processing node 200. In one embodiment, for example, graphics device 206 may be implemented using a chipset designed to accompany processor 202. For example, if processor 202 is implemented using a Pentium M processor, graphics device 206 may be implemented as a GMCH comprising part of an Intel 915GM Express Chipset, for example. The 915GM Express Chipset may support a 533 Megahertz (MHz) front side bus (FSB), DDR2 Dual Channel memory interface, a PCI Express-based (PCIe-based) Direct Media Interface (DMI) link to ICH 210, and an x16 PCIe bus. The 915GM Express Chipset may also perform several power-management operations, including C2 Pop-up and Rapid Memory Power Management (RMPM), and an Intel Display Power Savings Technology 2.0 (DPST2). The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, media processing node 200 may include a video card 208 to connect to graphics device 206. Video card 208 may be arranged to receive the processed media information from graphics device 206, and reproduce the processed media information using display 110. For example, video card 208 may have a graphics processor and memory to perform buffer management operations between graphics device 206 and display 110, as well as other display operations. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, media processing node 200 may include an input/output (I/O) controller hub (ICH) 210 to connect to graphics device 206. In one embodiment, for example, ICH 210 may comprise a Sixth Generation (ICH6-M) made by Intel Corporation. ICH 210 may be connected to various I/O devices, to include a transceiver 212, I/O ports 214, mass storage device (MSD) 216, and an audio sub-system 218, as well as other I/O devices. Examples of transceiver 212 may include a wireless local area network (WLAN) radio transceiver arranged to operate in accordance with one or more WLAN wireless protocols, such as protocol from the IEEE 802.11 series of standards. Examples of I/O ports 214 may include Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. Examples of MSD 216 may include a hard disk, floppy disk, Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), optical disk, magnetic media, magneto-optical media, removable memory cards or disks, various types of DVD devices, a tape device, a cassette device, or the like. Examples of audio sub-system 218 may include an audio coder/decoder (“codec”), a modem codec, an audio/modem codec, an audio bus, and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In general operation, media processing node 200 may receive media information from one or more media source nodes 102-1-n. In one embodiment, for example, media source node 102-1 may comprise a DVD device connected to ICH 210. Alternatively, media source 102-2 may comprise memory 204 storing a digital AV file, such as a motion pictures expert group (MPEG) encoded AV file. Graphics device 206 may operate to receive the media information from mass storage device 216 and/or memory 204, process the media information (sometimes using processor 202), and display the media information on display 110 via video card 208.

In order to display an image on display 110, each image is transmitted as a sequence of frames or fields (for interlaced), each of which includes a number of horizontal scan lines. Typically, time reference signals are provided in order to divide the video signal into horizontal scan lines and frames. These reference signals include a VSYNC signal that indicates the beginning of a frame or field (for interlaced) and an HSYNC signal that indicates the beginning of a next source scan line. In this way, the image is divided into a number of points where each point is displayed as a pixel. A pixel clock may be used to specify the rate at which pixels are generated, typically expressed in terms of pixels per second. Therefore, in order to display video data from a video source such as a processor, DVD device, and so forth, the video data is processed by graphics device 206 that converts the incoming video data at a native format (e.g., DTV format, HDTV format, progressive format, 720p, VGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA, and so forth) to video data at a video display format (e.g., VGA, XGA, SXGA, UXGA, and so forth) at a clock rate determined by memory 204 into which the video data is temporarily stored. In one embodiment, for example, the incoming video data may have a visual resolution format of 720p, while display 110 may have a display resolution of 1024×768 (XGA). In this case, graphics device 206 may convert the incoming video signal from 720p to XGA for display by display 110. The embodiments, however, are not limited to this example.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may operate in a progressive mode to display the media information on display 110 using progressive scan techniques. For example, graphics device 206 may operate at a frame rate of 60 frames per second or 60 Hertz, and may refresh display 110 with an entire frame once every second.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may also operate in an interlaced mode. The interlaced mode may be used to display progressive content at the same resolution as used in progressive mode, but with interlaced timings. Since interlaced mode consumes less power than progressive mode, the interlaced mode may be suitable for the lower power operating modes of media processing node 200.

As previously described, switching between a progressive mode and an interlaced mode may be desirable to conserve power in a mobile device. Switching between scan modes, however, may cause disruptions or introduce artifacts to display 110 which are perceptible to the human visual system. When normally entering an interlaced mode, a pixel clock frequency and values for a set of display timing registers must be changed. For example, the pixel clock may operate at 65 MHz during progressive mode and 32.5 MHz during interlaced mode. Therefore, the pixel clock may need to be adjusted to half its operating frequency when switching from progressive mode to interlaced mode. Furthermore, the horizontal timing registers and/or vertical timing registers may be updated to reflect the change in the horizontal and vertical scanning rates. For example, the vertical timing register value is typically half the value used for progressive mode. When exiting interlaced mode to go back to progressive mode, the pixel clock and display timing registers must be changed again. In both instances, the display output must be disabled while making the changes in order to avoid unpredictable behavior in the display logic and in display 110 receiving the unpredictable output.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may seamlessly switch between progressive mode and interlaced mode with reduced disruptions to display 110. Graphics device 206 may maintain the pixel clock and display timing registers at the same values whether operating in progressive mode or interlaced mode. When graphics device 206 is switched between progressive mode and interlaced mode, graphics device 206 may interpret the pixel clock signals and display timing register values differently depending upon the given mode rather than changing the actual frequency of the pixel clock and display timing register values. In this manner the display output behavior may be more predictable thereby reducing the need to disable the display output when switching between the various scanning modes.

In one embodiment, for example, graphics device 206 may maintain the pixel clock at the same frequency for both the progressive mode and the interlaced mode. Furthermore, graphics device 206 may maintain the same values in the vertical and/or horizontal display timing registers for both the progressive mode and the interlaced mode. In one embodiment, for example, the pixel clock frequency and display timing register values may be set to the appropriate parameters suitable for the progressive mode.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may interpret values for the display timing registers differently depending upon whether graphics device 206 is operating in a progressive mode or interlaced mode. For example, graphics device 206 may interpret a value for one or more horizontal timing registers to represent one pixel clock in the progressive mode, and two pixel clocks in the interlaced mode. For example, when switching from progressive mode to interlaced mode, graphics device 206 may interpret the horizontal timing registers as referring to units of 2 pixel clocks when in interlaced mode instead of 1 pixel clock as in progressive mode. This effectively causes the horizontal frequency to be halved for the interlaced mode. Furthermore, graphics device 206 may interpret one or more vertical timing registers as having half their programmed value to create each field in interlaced mode.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may also use pixel doubling for the active region of display 110 when in interlaced mode. Pixel doubling may refer to a technique for holding each pixel output for two pixel clocks instead of outputting a new pixel at each clock cycle. For example, graphics device 206 may be arranged to output a single pixel per one pixel clock in the progressive mode, and to output a single pixel per two pixel clocks in the interlaced mode.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may use the interpretation and pixel doubling operations to facilitate a relatively seamless transition between interlaced mode and progressive mode at the same resolution. The interlaced mode will have half the horizontal frequency and half the frame rate of the progressive mode. A single control signal can be used to cause graphics device 206 to switch between the two modes.

In addition to having a single pixel clock frequency and a single set of values for the display timing registers, graphics device 206 may time the transitions between progressive mode and interlaced mode to further reduce potential disruptions to display 110. This may be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a timing diagram. FIG. 3 illustrates a first timing diagram for switching from a progressive mode to an interlaced mode. The first timing diagram illustrates a VSYNC signal, a HSYNC signal, and a DE signal. For the first timing diagram of FIG. 3, assume the interlaced vertical timing has the following parameters as set forth in TABLE 1: TABLE 1 Parameter Symbol Value Units Total Lines per frame — 807 lines Active Lines per frame — 768 lines Total Lines per field — 403.5 lines Active Lines per field — 384 lines Vertical Sync Width Tvw2 3 lines Field 1 Vertical Front Porch Tvfp2 2 lines Field 1 Vertical Back Porch Tvbp2 14 lines Field 2 Vertical Sync delay ¹ Tvdly 0.5 lines Field 2 Vertical Front Porch ¹ Tvfp2 + Tvdly 2.5 lines Field 2 Vertical Back Porch ¹ Tvfp2 − Tvdly + 1 14.5 lines

Further, assume the interlaced horizontal timing has the following parameters as set forth in TABLE 2: TABLE 2 Parameter Symbol Value Units Total Pixel Clocks per line Th2 2688 Tclk Active Pixel Clocks per line — 2048 Tclk Horizontal Sync Width Thw2 272 Tclk Horizontal Front Porch Thfp2 48 Tclk Horizontal Back Porch Thbp2 320 Tclk Pixel Clock Period Tclk 15.38 ns It is worthy to note that for the Active Pixel Clocks per line parameter, that each pixel value is active for two clock periods. For example, 1024 pixels may be delivered in the horizontal Active Region of display 110, which is 2048 pixel clocks long.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may order the transition between modes such that the transitions occur at the start of a vertical blank. Further, the VSYNC positioning can be used to indicate to the display logic and/or display 110 as to whether the output is progressive or interlaced.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may switch from the progressive mode to the interlaced mode at a vertical blank represented by the VSYNC signal, wherein the VSYNC signal is offset from the HSYNC signal. For example, when switching from progressive to interlaced, the switch does not occur until the next frame start at the start of a vertical blank. At the next frame start, graphics device 206 interlaces the video output beginning with Field 2 (e.g., the bottom field). As shown in FIG. 3, the VSYNC signal is offset from the HSYNC signal, thereby indicating to display 110 that the progressive content is now interlaced and the current field is Field 2. Graphics device 206 creates field content from the frame source. Graphics device 206 internally doubles the buffer pitch, and halves the vertical size registers including VTOTAL and VSYNC. Graphics device 206 sends the second line of the progressive display data (e.g., the first line of Field 2), then the fourth line of the progressive display data, and continuing until the end of the frame. Then graphics device 206 processes Field 1 (e.g., the top field), which has the VSYNC aligned with the HSYNC. The first display line of Field 1 is the first line of the progressive display data. Each field is displayed at the rate of the programmed frequency. In interlaced mode, a set of two fields (e.g., Field 1 and Field 2) displays in the same amount of time as two progressive frames would be displayed.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a timing diagram. FIG. 4 illustrates a second timing diagram for switching from an interlaced mode to a progressive mode. As with the first timing diagram, the second timing diagram illustrates a VSYNC signal, a HSYNC signal, and a DE signal. For the second timing diagram of FIG. 4, assume the progressive vertical timing has the following parameters as set forth in TABLE 3: TABLE 3 Parameter Symbol Value Units Total Lines per frame — 806 lines Active Lines per frame — 768 lines Vertical Sync Width Tvw1 6 lines Vertical Front Porch Tvfp1 4 lines Vertical Back Porch Tvbp1 29 lines

Further, assume the progressive horizontal timing has the following parameters as set forth in TABLE 4: TABLE 4 Parameter Symbol Value Units Total Pixels per line Th1 1344 Tclk Active Pixels per line — 1024 Tclk Horizontal Sync Width Thw1 136 Tclk Horizontal Front Porch Thfp1 24 Tclk Horizontal Back Porch Thbp1 160 Tclk Pixel Clock Period Tclk 15.38 ns

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may switch from the interlaced mode to the progressive mode at a vertical blank represented by the vertical synchronization signal VSYNC, wherein the VSYNC signal is synchronized with the HSYNC signal. For example, when switching from the interlaced mode back to progressive, graphics device 206 waits until Field 1 (e.g., the top field) of the current frame has been displayed, and then changes back to progressive mode at the start of a vertical blank. Display 110 detects the change to progressive mode when it detects that the VSYNC occurs at the same time as the HSYNC for two consecutive fields, with the first being the last interlaced Field 1, and the second being the first new progressive frame. Display 110 then changes back to displaying in progressive mode.

Operations for the above embodiments may be further described with reference to the following figures and accompanying examples. Some of the figures may include a logic flow. Although such figures presented herein may include a particular logic flow, it can be appreciated that the logic flow merely provides an example of how the general functionality as described herein can be implemented. Further, the given logic flow does not necessarily have to be executed in the order presented unless otherwise indicated. In addition, the given logic flow may be implemented by a hardware element, a software element executed by a processor, or any combination thereof. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 5 illustrates one embodiment of a logic flow. FIG. 5 illustrates a logic flow 500. Logic flow 500 may be representative of the operations executed by one or more embodiments described herein, such as system 100, node 200, and/or sub-system 108. As shown in logic flow 500, a request to switch between a progressive mode and an interlaced mode to display media information may be received at block 502. The switch between the progressive mode and the interlaced mode may be accomplished using a single pixel clock frequency for both modes at block 504. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, a value for a horizontal timing register may be interpreted to represent one pixel clock in the progressive mode, and two pixel clocks in the interlaced mode. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, a value for a vertical timing register may be interpreted to represent one-half of the vertical timing register value in the interlaced mode. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, a single pixel per one pixel clock may be output in the progressive mode, and a single pixel per two pixel clocks may be output in the interlaced mode. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, a switch from the progressive mode to the interlaced mode may be accomplished at a vertical blank represented by a vertical synchronization signal, wherein the vertical synchronization signal is offset from a horizontal synchronization signal. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In one embodiment, a switch from the interlaced mode to the progressive mode may be accomplished at a vertical blank represented by a vertical synchronization signal, wherein the vertical synchronization signal is synchronized with a horizontal synchronization signal. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of a node 600. FIG. 6 illustrates a block diagram of a media processing node 600 suitable for use with media processing system 100. Media processing node 600 may be representative of, for example, media processing nodes 106, 200 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-2. In one embodiment, for example, media processing node 600 may include a greater level of detail for various elements of graphics device 206 and/or display 110, as well as further define various interfaces between graphics device 206 and display 110. The embodiments are not limited, however, to the example given in FIG. 6.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may process image data and transmit the processed image data together with accompanying control signals to a display 110. In one embodiment, display 110 may be implemented as a hold-type display device, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) module, for example. Although various embodiments may describe display 110 as an LCD module, it may be appreciated that various other types of display devices may be used, such as plasma displays, field emissive displays (FED), organic light emitting display (OLED), and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As previously described, media processing node 600 may reduce power consumption for display 110 by switching between progressive mode and interlaced mode. The determination to switch between modes may be accomplished using a number of mode triggers. One example of a mode trigger may include motion detection, where progressive mode is used for display 110 when motion is detected, and interlaced mode is used for display 110 when motion is not detected. Another example of a mode trigger may include battery power, where progressive mode is used for display 110 when battery power is above a predetermined threshold, and interlaced mode is used for display 110 when battery power is below a predetermined threshold. It may be appreciated that other mode triggers may be used as desired for a given implementation, and the embodiments are not limited in this context.

It is worthy to note that the mode triggers as described with reference to FIGS. 6-19 may be used independent from, or in conjunction with, the techniques for using a single pixel clock frequency to actually switch between modes, as desired for a given implementation.

In one embodiment, media processing node 600 may use motion detection as a mode trigger. In this case, display 110 drive conditions may be differentiated based on the results of a determination between images with greater amounts of movement (also referred to herein as “dynamic images”) and images with lesser amounts of movement (also referred to herein as “static images”). For example, a movie with sequences of dynamic images may be displayed by display 110 using a progressive driving mode, where each scanning line is progressively scanned in each vertical scanning period to form one image frame. A movie with sequences of static images, however, may be displayed by display 110 using an interlaced driving mode, where even-numbered scan lines are scanned in a first vertical scanning period (e.g., field 1), and odd-numbered scan lines are scanned in a second vertical scanning period (e.g., field 2) to form one image frame in two vertical scanning periods. In this manner, the overall power consumption of display 110 may be decreased since display 110 operates at 60 Hz in the progressive driving mode and at a reduced frequency of 30 Hz in the interlaced driving mode. Furthermore, media processing node 600 may lower power consumption while providing faithful movie reproduction without significant degradation of static image (e.g., still picture) quality.

In addition to switching between modes for video images (e.g., a movie), the interlaced mode may also be used for displaying still images (e.g., a digital picture), where one frame of the image is made up of two or more multiple vertical scanning periods. In this manner, the interlaced mode enables a significant reduction in power consumption while displaying still images, although at the cost of a certain degree of degradation in picture quality,

In various embodiments, media processing node 600 may switch between the progressive driving mode and the interlaced driving mode by monitoring a phase differential between synchronized timing signals, such as the HSYNC signal and the VSYNC signal, for example. Using a phase differential between existing timing signals may reduce or avoid the need for a separate determining signal between graphics device 206 and display 110, thereby avoiding a corresponding increase in pin count.

Referring again to FIG. 6, media processing node 600 may comprise a mobile computer system such as a laptop or notebook computer having a chipset with a graphics device 206 coupled to transmitter 622 via signal lines 620-1-a. An example of graphics device 206 may include a graphics controller as previously described with reference to FIG. 2. An example of transmitter 622 may include a transmitter arranged to perform low voltage differential transmission of signals from graphics device 206. Output signals from graphics device 206 may include various control and data signals, such as a clock (CLK) signal, a VSYNC signal, a HSYNC signal, a data enable (DE) signal, and 6 bits each of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) image or display data (collectively referred to herein as “display data”). In various embodiments, the CLK signal may be used in common for the progressive driving mode and the interlaced driving mode. Alternatively, the frequency could also be reduced by approximately half in the interlaced driving mode. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

In various embodiments, graphics device 106 may generate first synchronized timing signals with a first phase differential to indicate a first display mode for first display data, and to generate second synchronized timing signals with a second phase differential to indicate a second display mode for second display data. The first display mode may comprise, for example, a progressive mode. The second display mode may comprise, for example, an interlaced mode. The synchronized timing signals may include, for example, the HSYNC signal, the VSYNC signal, and/or the CLK signal.

In various embodiments, the first synchronized timing signals may include a first HSYNC signal and a first VSYNC signal. The second synchronized timing signals may include a second HSYNC signal and a second VSYNC signal. In one embodiment, for example, a frequency for the second HSYNC signal may be greater than a frequency for the first HSYNC signal. In another embodiment, for example, a frequency for the second HSYNC signal may be similar to a frequency for the first HSYNC signal.

In various embodiments, the first display data may include a data stream in each HSYNC period of the first HYSNC signal. The second display data may include multiple data streams in each HSYNC period of said second HSYNC signal. Alternatively, the second display data may include a first data stream in a first set of HSYNC periods and a second data stream in a second set of HSYNC periods.

In various embodiments, graphics device 206 may be arranged to initiate a mode trigger using various motion detection techniques. As shown in FIG. 6, graphics device 206 may include a motion detector 614 coupled to a timing signal generator 618 via signal line 616. Motion detector 614 may be arranged to detect motion from multiple images of a video stream. Motion detector 614 may output a first motion detection signal (e.g., logic high) if motion is detected from the multiple images, and a second motion detection signal (e.g., logic low) if no motion is detected from the multiple images, or vice-versa. Timing signal generator 618 may receive the motion detection signals via signal line 616. Timing signal generator 618 may generate the first synchronized timing signals based on the first motion detection signal, and the second synchronized timing signals based on the second motion detection signal.

In various embodiments, media processing node 600 may further include display 110. Display 110 may be implemented as an LCD module having an LCD display panel 601. Display 110 may further include a lighting device and/or a power supply on the back side of LCD display panel 601.

In various embodiments, transmitter 622 may be coupled to receiver 626 of display 110 via signal lines 624-1-b. Receiver 626 may demodulate signals sent from transmitter 622. Receiver 626 may be coupled to a display controller 630 via signal lines 628-1-c. Display controller 630 may be coupled to elements of a LCD display panel 601 to display images based on signals from display controller 630. For example, display controller 630 may be coupled to a signal line driver 608 via signal lines 632-1-5 of signal lines 632-1-d, and scanning line driver 610 via signal lines 632-5-8 of signal lines 632-1-d. Signal line driver 608 and scanning line driver 610 may be coupled to other elements of LCD display panel 601. For example, signal line driver 608 may be coupled to signal lines 602-1-s of LCD display panel 601, and scanning line driver 610 may be coupled to signal lines 604-1-t (also referred to herein as “scan lines” or “scanning lines”) of LCD display panel 601. Signal lines 602-1-s and 604-1-t may intersect and couple to pixels 606-1-v of LCD display panel 601.

FIG. 7 illustrates one embodiment of a display controller. FIG. 7 provides a more detailed block diagram for display controller 630. In various embodiments, display controller 630 may output various predetermined signals based on demodulated signals from receiver 626. In one embodiment, for example, display controller 630 may output display data via signal line 632-1. The display data may include 6 bits of red (R), 6 bits of green (G), and 6 bits of blue (B). Display controller 630 may also output a CLK signal via signal line 632-2, a horizontal start signal (STH) via signal line 632-3, a data load (LOAD) signal via signal line 632-4, and polarity inversion (POL) signal via signal line 632-5. The signals from 632-1-5 are received as inputs to signal line driver 608. Display controller 630 may also output a vertical clock pulse (CPV) signal, a vertical start (STV) signal, and an output enabled (OE) signal via signal lines 632-6-8, respectively. The signals from 632-6-8 are received as inputs to scanning line driver 610.

In various embodiments, display controller 630 may include a synchronous determining circuit 702, a control signal generation circuit 704, and a display signal processing circuit 706. Synchronous determining circuit 702 makes a determination of progressive driving mode versus interlaced driving mode based on the input CLK signal CLK, the VSYNC signal, and the HSYNC signal. Synchronous determining circuit 702 may output a synchronous determining signal (SDS) to control signal generation circuit 704 and display signal processing circuit 706. Control signal generation circuit 704 receives as input the CLK signal, the VSYNC signal, the HSYNC signal, and the SDS signal. Based on the values of these inputs, control signal generation circuit 704 generates a CLK signal, the STH signal, the POL signal, the LOAD signal, the CPV signal, the STV signal, and the OE signal. The CLK signal, STH signal, the POL signal, and the LOAD signal are received as inputs at signal line driver 608. The CPV signal, the STV signal, and the OE signal are received as inputs at scanning line driver 610. Display signal processing circuit 706 processes the RGB display data based on the DE signal and the SDS signal, and outputs the processed display data.

FIG. 8 illustrates one embodiment of a signal line driver. FIG. 8 illustrates a more detailed block diagram for signal line driver 608. Signal line driver 608 may include a shift register 802, a latch 804, and multiple digital-to-analog converters (DAC) 806-1-p. Shift register 802 receives as input the CLK signal and the STH signal and operates based on the STH signal. Latch 804 latches the display data. DAC 806-1-p converts the display data to a predetermined analog voltage based on the POL signal. Signal line driver 608 may be implemented using tape automated bonding (TCP) techniques, or may be integrally constituted on a substrate with polycrystalline silicon. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 9 illustrates one embodiment of a scanning line driver. FIG. 9 illustrates a more detailed block diagram for scanning line driver 610. Scanning line driver 610 may include multiple flip-flops (F/F) 902-1-e that operate based on the CPV signal, the STV signal, and the OE signal. The output control circuit may control the scanning signal based on the output from each F/F stage 902-1-e and the OE output. As with signal line driver 608, scanning line driver 610 may be implemented using TCP, or may be integrally constituted on a substrate with polycrystalline silicon. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

As previously described, display 110 may be implemented as an LCD module with LCD display panel 601. LCD display panel 601 may be implemented using various thin-film-transistor (TFT) techniques. For example, pixels 606-1-v may comprise a T1 implemented as a TFT coupled to C1 and LC1. C1 may be coupled to a storage capacitor line 612-1-m. T1 may be coupled to signal lines 602-1-s, 604-1-t, and a pixel electrode 611-f or LC1.

In various embodiments, LCD display panel 601 may be of the light-transmissive active matrix type, with amorphous silicon thin film transistors (a-Si TFT) as switching elements (e.g., T1) implemented for each display pixel 606-1-v. For example, there may be approximately 1280×800 display pixels 606-1-v implemented for a 12.1 inch diagonal display region. The switching elements may be implemented using polycrystalline silicon, for example. LCD display panel 601 may include a liquid crystal layer disposed within LCD display panel 601, mediated by alignment layers respectively interposed between an array substrate and an opposing counter substrate. A polarizer may be disposed on the outer surface of the respective substrates. In one embodiment, for example, the liquid crystal layer may be implemented as a Twisted Nematic (TN) type liquid crystal layer, although an in-plane switching type or vertical alignment type device could also be used as well.

In one embodiment, signal line driver 608 may be electrically connected to 1280×3 signal lines 602-1-s, and scanning line driver 610 may be electrically connected to 800 signal lines 604-1-t (e.g., scanning lines), with signal lines 602, 604 disposed in the array substrate, with pixel electrodes 611-f of LC1 disposed in the vicinity of each of the intersecting points thereof via a-Si TFT (e.g., T1). Storage capacitor lines 612-1-m are also disposed on a glass substrate, parallel to the scanning lines, partially overlapping via pixel electrodes 611-f and insulating film. A storage capacitor C1 may be implemented between pixel electrode 611-f and storage capacitor line 612-m, thereby holding the pixel potential.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of a second logic flow. FIG. 10 illustrates a logic flow 1000. Logic flow 1000 may be representative of the operations executed by one or more embodiments described herein, such as media processing node 600, for example. Assume media processing node 600 switches between a progressive driving mode and an interlaced driving mode in order to reduce power consumption for media processing node 600. In the progressive driving mode, each scanning line is progressively scanned during each vertical scanning period. In the interlaced driving mode, an even-number of scan lines are scanned in the first vertical scanning period (e.g., Field 1), and an odd-number of scans are carried out in the second vertical scanning period (e.g., Field 2). Synchronous determination circuit 702 may determine a driving mode as indicated by graphics device 206 using a phase differential between input signals to synchronous determination circuit 702. An example for the operations of synchronization determination circuit 702 may be described with reference to logic flow 1000.

Assume an image is displayed by display 10 in the progressive driving mode as the initial state at block 1002. A phase differential between the HSYNC signal and the VSYNC signal may be detected in the vertical blanking period at block 1004. If the phase differential is approximately zero (0), operation continues in the progressive driving mode at block 1002. When the phase differential exceeds a predetermined range, operation is switched over to an interlaced driving mode. The vertical scanning period (Field 1) operation for the interlaced driving mode may be performed at block 1006. The phase differential between the HSYNC signal and the VSYNC signal may be detected in the vertical blanking period at block 1008. If the phase differential still exceeds a predetermined range at block 1008, operation remains in the interlaced driving mode. The vertical scanning period (Field 2) operation for the interlaced driving mode may be performed at block 1010. The phase differential between the HSYNC signal and the VSYNC signal may be detected in the vertical blanking period at block 1012. If the phase differential still exceeds a predetermined range at block 1012, operation remains in the interlaced driving mode, and control is passed to block 1006. If the phase differential is approximately zero (0) at block 1012, however, operation switches to the progressive driving mode at block 1002.

The vertical scanning period (Field 1) operation and vertical scanning period (Field 2) operation are carried out continuously regardless of whether or not a phase differential is present, but it would also be acceptable to switch to the progressive driving mode if a phase differential is detected after the vertical scanning period (Field 1) operation, or to return once again to the vertical scanning period (Field 1) operation. Because one frame of display image is completed by the vertical scanning period (Field 1) and the vertical scanning period (Field 2), however, it is preferable for the vertical scanning period (Field 1) operation and the vertical scanning period (Field 2) operation to be performed continuously.

FIG. 11 illustrates one embodiment of a third timing diagram. FIG. 11 illustrates a timing diagram for a progressive driving mode using LCD display panel 601. In addition to the inversion of polarity with respect to a reference voltage (predetermined voltage) performed each in horizontal scanning period based on the polarity inversion signal (e.g., the POL signal) for each signal line 602-1-s from signal line driver 608, there is also a video signal (Vsig) output that corresponds to input display data. Scan voltages (Vg), progressively selected for each vertical scanning period from a first scan line (L1) up to an 800^(th) scan line (L800), are also output from scanning line driver 610 to each scanning line 604-1-t. Counter voltages (Vcom) are also respectively outputted to a counter electrode 613-g and a storage capacitor line 612-m.

In this way, for example, a positive polarity video signal Vsig is written with respect to the counter voltage Vcom in the vertical scanning period (Frame 1) at pixel electrode 611-f (1, 1) at the intersection of first signal line S1 and second scan line L1, and a negative polarity video signal Vsig is written with respect to the counter voltage Vcom in the vertical scanning period (Frame 2). In other words, at each pixel 606-1-v an image is displayed based on a video signal Vsig whose polarity reverses with each vertical scan period. A negative polarity video signal Vsig is written, for example, to pixel electrode 611-f at the intersection of the first signal line S1 and the second scan line L2 with respect to the counter voltage Vcom in Field 1, and a positive polarity video signal Vsig is written to the following Field 2 with respect to the counter voltage Vcom.

FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of a first pixel matrix. FIG. 12 illustrates a pixel matrix with a pixel polarity for each vertical scanning period. As shown in FIG. 12, pixel matrix (a) depicts a display state in the vertical scanning period (Frame 1), and pixel matrix (b) depicts a display state in the vertical scanning period (Frame 2). The polarity of voltage applied to the crystal differs between adjacent pixels, and polarity differs for each vertical scanning period. In this manner, a flicker-free display of good quality is thus achieved. In this example, polarity was varied by units of individual pixels, but polarity could also be varied for multiple scan lines, such as for each two scan lines for multiple signal lines. From a flicker standpoint, it may be desirable to invert polarity every 10 or fewer scan lines or every 10 or fewer signal lines.

FIG. 13 illustrates one embodiment of a fourth timing diagram. FIG. 13 illustrates a timing diagram for an interlaced driving mode using LCD display panel 601. A video signal Vsig, which reverses polarity with respect to a reference voltage in response to odd-numbered scan line pixels in the vertical scanning period (Field 1), and a video signal Vsig, which reverses polarity with respect to a reference voltage in response to even-numbered scan line pixels in the vertical scanning period (Field 2), are output on each signal line 602-1-s from signal line driver 608. In the vertical scanning period (Field 1), scan voltages Vg are respectively output to even-numbered scan lines from scanning line driver 610. In the vertical scanning period (Field 2), scan voltages Vg are respectively output to odd-numbered scan lines from scanning line driver 610. Counter voltages Vcom are respectively output to counter electrodes 613-g and storage capacitor lines 612-m. In this manner, no new signal is written in the vertical scanning period (Field 1) to pixel electrode 611-f(1, 1) at the intersection of the first signal S1 and the first line L1, for example, and a positive polarity video signal Vsig is written with respect to Vcom in the vertical scanning period (Field 2), based on which an image is displayed. At the pixel electrode 611-f(l, 2) at the intersection of first signal S1 and first line L1, a negative polarity video signal Vsig is written with respect to the counter voltage Vcom in the vertical scanning period (Field 1), based on which an image is displayed, and no new signal is written in the vertical scanning period (Field 2). The display image is maintained based on the signal written in the vertical scanning period (Field 1). In other words, one frame of image display is implemented in the two vertical scanning periods (Field 1 and Field 2).

FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of a second pixel matrix. FIG. 14 shows the polarity of each pixel in each vertical scanning period (Field). Pixel matrix (a) in the figure depicts a display state in the vertical scanning period (Field 1). Pixel matrix (b) depicts the display state in the vertical scanning period (Field 2). Unlike the progressive driving mode, polarity differs between adjacent pixels in the scan line direction, and polarity is caused to vary in units of adjacent pixel pairs in the signal line direction. It would be acceptable to vary the polarity in the signal line direction in units of adjacent pixels, as in the progressive mode, but it may be desirable from the standpoint of writing to each pixel that the voltages output to the signal lines each alternate in the interlaced driving mode.

FIG. 15 illustrates one embodiment of a fifth timing diagram. FIG. 15 illustrates a timing diagram for switching between a progressive driving mode and an interlaced driving mode using display 110. In FIG. 15, timing diagram (a) depicts the case in which the phases of the HSYNC signal and the VSYNC signal match during the vertical blanking period. In this case, the progressive driving mode continues. In contrast, when the phases of the HSYNC signal and the VSYNC signal are offset during the vertical blanking period, the progressive driving mode switches over to interlaced driving mode. The HSYNC signal frequency becomes approximately ½ of the progressive driving mode frequency, the DE signal frequency also drops to approximately ½, and an image signal is sent corresponding to the even^(th) scan line.

Various techniques may be used to transfer the image data. For example, image data may be sent based on the same type of CLK signal as in the progressive driving mode. This may reduce the complexity of graphics device 206. Because the DE signal is at approximately ½ the frequency at this point, twice the image data comes in during a horizontal scanning period as in the progressive driving mode. Here, the image data in a horizontal scanning period contains one repetition of the same data. The signal line driver processes one of these 2 sets of data by sampling. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

FIG. 16 illustrates one embodiment of a sixth timing diagram. As shown in timing diagram (b) of FIG. 16, with the signal from graphics device 206 in the interlaced driving mode, the transfer of image data can also be suspended each horizontal scanning period by making the HSYNC signal, the DE signal, and the image data all the same as in the progressive driving mode. This may result in an even greater reduction in power consumption.

FIG. 17 illustrates one embodiment of a seventh timing diagram. As shown in timing diagram (a) of FIG. 17, the image data may be suspended each horizontal scanning period. The DE signal can also be suspended in synchronization with this suspension, and fixed, for example at the L level. As shown in timing diagram (b) of FIG. 17, the horizontal scanning period frequency is dropped to approximately ½, but the DE signal and the image data transfer are maintained at the same frequency as in the progressive driving mode, and are suspended for a period corresponding to the even or the odd horizontal scanning periods.

Furthermore, in lieu of using the same type of CLK signal as in the progressive driving mode, the signal from graphics device 206 in the interlaced driving mode can be made to switch over to a ½ cycle CLK signal, with data itself transferring at approximately ½ the progressive driving mode frequency.

FIG. 18 illustrates one embodiment of an eighth timing diagram. As shown in timing diagram (a) of FIG. 18, when the interlaced driving mode vertical scanning period (Field 1) has ended, and the phases for the HSYNC signal and the VSYNC signal in a vertical blanking period match, the system switches over to the vertical scanning period (Field 2) in interlaced driving mode. As shown in timing diagram (b) of FIG. 18, when a phase offset between the HSYNC signal and the VSYNC signal is not detected in the vertical blanking period following the interlaced driving mode vertical scanning period (Field 2), the interlaced driving mode again continues, and the interlaced driving mode vertical scanning period (Field 1) operation is advanced.

FIG. 19 illustrates one embodiment of a ninth timing diagram. As shown in timing diagram (b) of FIG. 19, when the HSYNC signal and the VSYNC signal phases do not match in the vertical blanking period following the vertical scanning period (Field 2) in the interlaced driving mode, the system switches from interlaced driving mode to progressive driving mode.

As described above, various embodiments may be used as an interface to communicate signals between graphics device 206 and display 110. In one embodiment, for example, a signal transmission technique may be used to transmit signals including display data and a synchronized signal between a display having a plurality of display pixels and a data output circuit. The signal transmission technique may include a first display mode for transmitting first display data corresponding to the display pixels and first synchronized signal. The signal transmission technique may further include a second display mode for transmitting second display data corresponding to the display pixels of which numbers are different from that of the display pixels corresponding to the first image data and second synchronized signal. The signal transmission technique may adjust a phase of the synchronized signal in order to determine the display mode based on the phase of the synchronized signal.

The signal transmission technique may be used or varied in a number of different ways. For example, the first display mode may comprise a progressive driving mode and the second display mode may comprise an interlaced driving mode. In another example, the synchronized signal may include a horizontal synchronized signal and a vertical synchronized signal. The display mode may be determined based on the phase shift between the horizontal synchronized signal and the vertical synchronized signal. In yet another example, the first synchronized signal and second synchronized signal may include a clock signal. In still another example, the first synchronized signal may include a first horizontal synchronized signal and a first vertical synchronized signal, the second synchronized signal may include a second horizontal synchronized signal and a second vertical synchronized signal, and the frequency of the second horizontal signal is more than double that of the first horizontal signal. In yet another example, the first display data may include a data stream in each horizontal synchronized period of the first horizontal synchronized signal, and the second display data may include at least two data streams in each horizontal synchronized period of the second horizontal synchronized signal, with each data stream being substantially the same. In still another example, the first synchronized signal may include a first horizontal synchronized signal and a first vertical synchronized signal, the second synchronized signal may include a second horizontal synchronized signal and a second vertical synchronized signal, and the frequency of the second horizontal signal may be substantially the same as that of the first horizontal signal. In yet another example, the first display data may include a data stream in each horizontal synchronized period of the first horizontal synchronized signal, and the second display data may include a data stream in at least one horizontal synchronized period of the neighboring two second horizontal synchronized periods.

As described above, various embodiments may be used to display images on a display, such as display 110. In one embodiment, for example, a display technique may be used to display images in display pixels of a display panel in accordance with a driving mode. The driving mode may include a first driving mode for displaying image in first selected pixels and a second driving mode for displaying image in second selected pixels, where the second selected pixels comprise a number that is different from that of the first selected pixels. A phase of inputted timing signals may be detected. The driving mode may be determined in accordance with the detected phase.

The display technique may be used or varied in a number of different ways. For example, the inputted timing signals may include a horizontal synchronized signal and a vertical synchronized signal, and the driving mode may be determined in accordance with the phase shift between the horizontal synchronized signal and the vertical synchronized signal. In another example, the first driving mode may comprise a progressive driving mode, and the second driving mode may comprise an interlaced driving mode. In yet another example, the display panel may include a plurality of horizontal pixel lines, with each horizontal pixel lines to display images in series in a vertical scanning period at the first driving mode, and predetermined horizontal pixel lines to display images in the vertical scanning period at the second driving mode. In still another example, a polarity of an applied voltage is different in neighboring pixels at the first driving mode.

As described above, various embodiments may be directed to a display device, such as display 110. One embodiment may include, for example, a display device for displaying images in accordance with a driving mode which includes a first driving mode for displaying image in first selected pixels and a second driving mode for displaying image in second selected pixels, of which the number for the second selected pixels is different from that of the first selected pixels. The display device may include a display panel having a plurality of display pixels formed in a matrix form. The display device may further include a detector for detecting a phase of the inputted timing signals. The display device may further include a control signal generator for generating the control signals corresponding to a selected driving mode in accordance with the output of the detector.

The display device may be used or varied in a number of different ways. For example, the inputted timing signals may include a horizontal synchronized signal and a vertical synchronized signal, and the detector may detect a phase shift between the horizontal synchronized signal and the vertical synchronized signal. In another example, the first driving mode may comprise a progressive driving mode, and the second driving mode may comprise an interlaced driving mode. In yet another example, the display panel may include a plurality of horizontal pixel lines, the horizontal pixel lines to display images in series in a vertical scanning period at the first driving mode, and predetermined horizontal pixel lines to display images in the vertical scanning period at the second driving mode. In still another example, a polarity of an applied voltage is different in neighboring pixels at the first driving mode.

In one embodiment, the display device may display images in accordance with a driving mode which includes a progressive driving mode and an interlaced driving mode. The display device may include a display panel having a plurality of horizontal display lines, each of which includes display pixels, and a controller for generating the control signals in accordance with inputted horizontal synchronized signal and vertical synchronized signal. The controller may further comprise a detector for detecting a phase shift between the inputted horizontal synchronized signal and vertical synchronized signal, and a control signal generator for generating the control signals corresponding to selected one driving mode in accordance with the output of the detector.

The display device may be used or varied in a number of different ways. For example, the interlace driving mode may include a display mode for displaying images in odd horizontal display lines in one vertical scanning period, and a display mode for displaying images in even horizontal display lines in one vertical scanning period. In another example, the frequency of the horizontal synchronized signal in the progressive driving mode may be substantially twice that of the horizontal synchronized signal in the interlaced driving mode.

As described above, the various embodiments may result in lower power consumption with faithful movie reproduction and without degradation of still picture quality. Because the switch between progressive driving mode and interlaced driving mode is accomplished by monitoring the phase between the HSYNC signal and the VSYNC signal, without using a separate determination signal between graphics device 106 and LCD display panel 601, there is also no increase in the interface pin count.

Numerous specific details have been set forth herein to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments. It can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments.

It is also worthy to note that any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Some embodiments may be implemented using an architecture that may vary in accordance with any number of factors, such as desired computational rate, power levels, heat tolerances, processing cycle budget, input data rates, output data rates, memory resources, data bus speeds and other performance constraints. For example, an embodiment may be implemented using software executed by a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. In another example, an embodiment may be implemented as dedicated hardware, such as a circuit, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), Programmable Logic Device (PLD) or digital signal processor (DSP), and so forth. In yet another example, an embodiment may be implemented by any combination of programmed general-purpose computer components and custom hardware components. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term “connected” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. In another example, some embodiments may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

Some embodiments may be implemented, for example, using a machine-readable medium or article which may store an instruction or a set of instructions that, if executed by a machine, may cause the machine to perform a method and/or operations in accordance with the embodiments. Such a machine may include, for example, any suitable processing platform, computing platform, computing device, processing device, computing system, processing system, computer, processor, or the like, and may be implemented using any suitable combination of hardware and/or software. The machine-readable medium or article may include, for example, any suitable type of memory unit, memory device, memory article, memory medium, storage device, storage article, storage medium and/or storage unit, for example, memory, removable or non-removable media, erasable or non-erasable media, writeable or re-writeable media, digital or analog media, hard disk, floppy disk, Compact Disk Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), Compact Disk Recordable (CD-R), Compact Disk Rewriteable (CD-RW), optical disk, magnetic media, magneto-optical media, removable memory cards or disks, various types of Digital Versatile Disk (DVD), a tape, a cassette, or the like. The instructions may include any suitable type of code, such as source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and the like. The instructions may be implemented using any suitable high-level, low-level, object-oriented, visual, compiled and/or interpreted programming language, such as C, C++, Java, BASIC, Perl, Matlab, Pascal, Visual BASIC, assembly language, machine code, and so forth. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

Unless specifically stated otherwise, it may be appreciated that terms such as “processing,” “computing,” “calculating,” “determining,” or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device, that manipulates and/or transforms data represented as physical quantities (e.g., electronic) within the computing system's registers and/or memories into other data similarly represented as physical quantities within the computing system's memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission or display devices. The embodiments are not limited in this context.

While certain features of the embodiments have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the embodiments. 

1. An apparatus, comprising: a display panel having multiple display pixels formed in a matrix; a display controller coupled to said display panel, said display controller comprising: a detector to detect a phase differential between received timing signals and output a synchronous determination signal; and a control signal generator coupled to said detector, said control signal generator to generate a first set of control signals corresponding to a first driving mode or a second set of control signals corresponding to a second driving mode in accordance with said synchronous determination signal, said first set of control signals to cause said display panel to display images in accordance with said first driving mode using a first set of selected display pixels, and said second set of control signals to cause said display panel to display images in accordance with said second driving mode using a second set of selected display pixels, with said second set having a number of selected display pixels different from said first set.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, said received timing signals to include a horizontal synchronized signal and a vertical synchronized signal, and said detector to detect a phase shift between the horizontal synchronized signal and the vertical synchronized signal.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, said first driving mode to comprise a progressive driving mode and said second driving mode to comprise an interlaced driving mode.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, said display panel to include multiple horizontal pixel lines, said horizontal pixel lines to display images in series in a vertical scanning period of said first driving mode, and predetermined horizontal pixel lines to display images in a vertical scanning period of said second driving mode.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a polarity of an applied voltage to said display pixel is different in neighboring pixels in said first driving mode.
 6. An apparatus, comprising: a display panel with horizontal display lines each having display pixels, and a display controller to connect to said display panel, said display controller to generate control signals in accordance with a horizontal synchronized signal and vertical synchronized signal, said display controller comprising: a detector to detect a phase shift between said horizontal synchronized signal and vertical synchronized signal; and a control signal generator to connect to said detector, said control signal generator to generate said control signals corresponding to a progressive driving mode or an interlaced driving mode in accordance with output from said detector.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said interlace driving mode includes a display mode to display images in odd horizontal display lines in one vertical scanning period, and a display mode to display images in even horizontal display lines in one vertical scanning period.
 8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a frequency for said horizontal synchronized signal in said progressive driving mode is greater than that of a frequency for said horizontal synchronized signal in said interlace driving mode.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a frequency for said horizontal synchronized signal in said progressive driving mode is substantially twice that of a frequency for said horizontal synchronized signal in said interlace driving mode.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a frequency for said horizontal synchronized signal in said progressive driving mode is substantially equal to a frequency for said horizontal synchronized signal in said interlace driving mode.
 11. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said display panel is a liquid crystal display panel including a pair of electrodes and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched therebetween. 